Brooklyn, NY — Taqueria Acatlan, a Mexican restaurant at 298 Irving Avenue in Brooklyn, received a score of 26 during a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026, placing it in the Grade B range. The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation, marking a notable decline from the restaurant's most recent Grade A score.
What Inspectors Found
The critical violation cited during the inspection involved adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated food that was not handled or discarded in accordance with the restaurant's HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan. This violation, recorded under NYC Department of Health code 04H, addresses food safety protocols designed to prevent contamination at various stages of preparation and storage.
Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation under code 10F, related to non-food contact surfaces or equipment. The citation noted that such surfaces were either made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow accessibility for thorough cleaning on all sides.
No closure action was taken. The inspection resulted in cited violations with no immediate enforcement beyond the documented findings.
Food Safety Context
Food adulteration and contamination violations are classified as critical under NYC Health Code Article 81 because they represent conditions that can directly contribute to foodborne illness. The FDA Food Code requires that all food establishments maintain HACCP-based protocols to identify and control hazards at critical points during food handling, preparation, and storage.
Equipment cleanliness violations, while classified as non-critical, can contribute to unsanitary conditions over time. The NYC Health Code requires that all surfaces and equipment be constructed of approved materials and maintained in a condition that allows for proper cleaning and sanitization.
Inspection History
Taqueria Acatlan's inspection record shows significant score fluctuations over the past several years:
- June 5, 2024: Score 2, Grade A
- February 1, 2023: Score 40, Grade C
- May 12, 2022: Score 42
The restaurant's previous inspection in June 2024 resulted in a near-perfect score of 2, earning a Grade A. However, the establishment has shown a pattern of inconsistency, having also received a Grade C score of 40 in early 2023. The current score of 26 falls between these two extremes.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation point totals accumulated during inspections:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Taqueria Acatlan's score of 26 places it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range.
Data for this inspection was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on March 2, 2026, four days after the inspection was conducted.
Consumers can verify restaurant inspection results through the NYC DOHMH restaurant grades database or by checking the letter grade card posted at the establishment's entrance. Additional information about food safety standards and the inspection process is available on the NYC Department of Health website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Taqueria Acatlan including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.